Roundabout.



R. W. SMITH. ROUNDABOUT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.16, 1914.

1,1 16,508. Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHBBT 1.

f I ww w J B. W. SMITH.

ROUNDABOU-T.

APPLICATION FILED MARJG, 1914.

i 116 503 1 Patented Now-10,1914. 3 SHEETSSHEET Z;

"ii m R. W. SMITH.

ROUNDABQUT. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 16, 1914.

1,116,508. Patented Nov, 10, 1914.

3 SEBETS-SHEBT 3.

of California.

RUFUS W. SMITH, OF SAN DIEGO. CALIFORNIA.

ROUNDAZBOUT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

Application filed March 16. 1914. Serial No. 825,073.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. Horns V. Snrrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Diego. in the county of San Diego and State have invented certain new auduseful improvements in l'lounda'bouts, of which the following is a specification. ref erence being had therein to the accompany lug drawing.

This invention relates to a, roundaluuit. and the principal object of the same is the production of a revoluble platform which is adapted to carry a plurality of cars in such a manner as to create the impression that the cars are running independently upon the stationary platform.

Another object of this invention is the production of a reroluble platform having a plurality of cars positioned upon its outer edge so that the supporting wheels of the ears may bear upon the stationary platform for carrying the weight of the revolubic platform and cars thereby holding this platform in its correct position. l

Another object of this device is the production of revoluble platform having a plurality of -ars fixedly secured thereto. the "ear axle of one or more cars loein; provided ..'li1i1 a driving mechanism for moving a revoluble platform.

With these and other objects in View. this invention consists of certain noyel combinations constructions, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and Claimed.

in the accompanying dra 'viugs:-Figure 1 is a top plan view of the complete roundabout. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a section taken on' the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.' Fig. *1 is a bottom plan view of the revoluble platform. Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line of 1. Fig. 6 is a de tailed perspective view of the central stand' ard. Fig. T is a section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1 looking in direction of the arrow. Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8.-8 of Fig. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the revoluble platform showing the form of axles used for supporting the cars. Fig. 10 is a top plan View of a portion of the stationary plat; form showing the brushes carried thereby.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the brushes and insulating supporting block. Fig. 1.2 is a detail'ed perspective view of a certain l l l 1 l l l l l l l l l l l bralze which is used in connection with this QYICO.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals 1 designates the stationary platform which is preferably a polygon in shape and which is provided upon its under portlon with a plurality of supportinp beams 2. These beams- 2 extend from the central portion of the stationary platform 1 and are ast so as to be integral w' h the plate 8. By providing" the device with this stationarv platform. the auto'go-roand may be placed upon an uneven surface if necessary and operate as eiiiciently as if the device were placed upon a level or even surface. This stationary platform may also be PIOVlClGfl with the cut-out portion 4 if so desired for reducin the weight of the device.

For the purpose hereinafter to be descrilmd. a central standard 5 is fixedly se-' cured to the central portion of the stationary platform 1 by means of the bolts (5 which pass through the retainingflange 7 formed integral upon the lower portion of this central standard. This standard is also pr vided with an integral spacing block 8 forn'led adjacent the retainii'ig flange 7 so as to allow the upper portion of this spacing block {I to be positioned at a spaced distance aborethc bolts (3. A ICVOllllJlQ sleeve 9 is positioned over the central standard 5 and this sleeve 9 is provided at its lower portion with a threzuled portion 9' upon which a secondary sleeve 10 is threaded. this secondar v sleeve being provided with spaced flanges 10. The revoluble platform 11 which is similar in shape to the stationary platform I is prlsilioued above the stationary platform 1 so astoallowthe inner portion of the rcvoluble platform to [it between the spaced llruiges 10 as shown at 12. A bolt 13 may be positioned" through one of the flanges 10 so as to engage the revoluhlc platform 11' thereby fixedly securing the sleeve 9 to this platform 1i.v A number of brace arms 14 are positioned upon the under portion. ofthe rcvolublc platform 11 and may beheld in fixed engagement therewith by the suitable simportiup means 15. these arms radiating from the conlral portion of the platform 1].. The inner ends of these brace arms 14 are positioned within the flanges 10 so that the inner portions ol the brace arms and revoluble platform will be positioned between these flanges thereby firmly and securely hold;

which the upper ends of the brace rods 17 i are secured while the lower ends of the brace rods 1'? are attached to the eyes 18 carried adjacent the outer portion of the revoluble platform 11, thereby efiiciently bracing the outer portion of this platform. This collar 16 bears upon the ball 38 which fits within the socket 39 of the standard 5 for reducing the friction. Furthermore, since the sleeve fits snugly upon the central standard 5 the ball'bearing 5' will reduce the friction as the device rotates and the brace-rods will efiiciently hold the revoluble platform in position and will prevent the same from wobbling. From the foregoing description it will be seen that the revoluble platform is so mounted as to efficiently rotate around the central standard 5 and will be securely held in its correct position.

For the purpose of providing suitable carrying means for the passengers there are preferably provided in this invention a plurality of automobiles. In forming the de vice so as to carry the bodies of these auto-.

mobiles, the axles each comprise straight bodies 19 upon which bodies of the cars 20' and 20' are placed. The'inner end of each axle body 19 is provided witha diagonal depending plate 19 terminating in an ear 21 having an upwardly extending lip 22. The ear 21 isprovided with securing means 22 for fixedly securing this axle to the revoluble platform 11. The half of a wheel 23 is carried by the lip 22 this wheel 23 resting upon the upper surface-of the-revolu- .ble platform, as glearl disclosed in Figs.

5 and 9. The opposite end of the axle body 19 is provided with an integral depending finger 24 having an aperture 25 formed therein. This finger 24 is formed so as to overhang the upper edge of the revoluble platform 11 and depend for a spaced dis- .tance below the'lower surface of the revoluble platform. A pair of "bearings-26 are fixedly secured to the under surface of the revoluble platform 11 under one of theaxles as above des'cribedand the driving shaft 27 passes through these bearings 26 and through the aperture 25 formed in the finger 24 whereby the outer end of the axle body 19 will besupported. A drive wheel'28 is.

carried upon the outer GIlCliOfiitlllS drive shaft 27 as disclosed inFig. 3. Theinner end of-this drive shaft 27 isprovided with a cog wheel 29 passing through the opening 30 formed in the revoluble platform 11. This cog wheel 29 meshes with the cog wheel 31 carried by the motor 32,this motor 32 be ing fixedly secured to the upper portion of the revoluble platform 11. This motor is provided with wires 33 which wires are connected to a plurality of the rings 40 which are carried upon the insulating block 41, this block being fixedly secured to the lowersurface of the platform 11, as shown in Fig. 4. The insulating'block 42 is fixedly secured upon the platform 1 and carries the upwardly extending brushes 43, the brushes being adapt- ,ed to engage the rings 40. A plurality of wires 44 are connected with the brushes 43, the wires extending through the trou h 45 to a suitable electric source, not eing deemed necessary to be herein shown. When the current is supplied to the motor by means of thewires 33 and 44 and the rings 40 and brushes 43 and the motor is running, the cog 31 will rotate the cog 29 whereby the shaft 27 will turn for rotating the drive wheel 28- Since this drive wheel rides upon the upper surface of the stationar platform lwhen it is turned by the she t 27 it will, of course, drawthe revoluble platform 11 around until the motor is stopped.

For the purpose of supporting the remaining automobile bodies 20 the brace arms extendv so as to allow the stubaxles 34 formed at the outer ends to extend at each angle of the revoluble platform, and from the sides, intermediate the angles formed thereon. The usual axle body 19 is also carried above each one of the brace arms '14 so as to allow the fingers 24 to rest upon the stub axles 34 passing into thev ends of the brace arms 14, as disclosed in Fig. 5. Each one of these stub axles 34 carries a supporting wheel 35 which are revolubly mounted thereon for supporting the upperportion of the revoluble platform and at the same time to give the effect of an automobile in motion. The car bodies are positioned upon the outer portions of the revoluble platform '11 so that the forward portion of each car body will be car ried over one of the "angular portions of the revoluble platform'll so that it will appear that the front portion of the automobile body is swung outwardly over the station ary platform 1 as is the case when an automobile orcar makes a turn. By fixedly securing the automobile bodies upon the outer portions of the revoluble platform, the supportin wheels 35 will prevent the platform from tipping while the drive 'wheel 28fwill rotate'the revoluble platformll and the sleeve 9 around the central standard 5, Furthermore, it will be noted by referring toFig. 1 that the cars are positioned at a spaced distance apart so that a erson may step upon the revoluble plat orm when the'f'revoluble platform is not moving for allowing the passengers to easily get into or out of the bodies of the automobiles or cars. These cars or automobiles may be provided with imitation steering gears 36 and with any other operating mechanism which maybe desirable for allowing a personto imitate or experience something of thefsensation of driving an automobile.

It is, of course, obvious that where it is desired the stationary platform may not be used and in'this case the operation of the device without the use of the stationary platform, it will. be necessary to provide an even surface for allowing the Wheels 35 to run; thereon. lhe flange 7 may be placed. upon a support at Which time the flange may be fixedly and securely retained in position thereby allowing the device to emciently operate. Furthermore, it may be seen thatany number of automobiles may be provided witha drive shaft 27 for rotating theirevolublc platform 11, and it will also be seen that any simple car body or pas-- senger carrying means may. be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention since other passenger carrying means may be carried or supported upon the straight axles 19 without in any way departing from the spirit of this invention.

A wire 46 is attached toone of the wires upon the under side of the revoluble plat form 11 and extends so as to pass up out of the under portion of this revoluble platform. Another wire -17 extendsso as to be attached to one of the rings 4:0 and at the opposite end is attached adjacent the wires 46. These wires e 6 rncl 47 are connected to the conductor wire 48 which (3X- tends around the outer portion of the revoluble platform 11 and is connected to the lamps 49, which arecarried upon the upper portion of the platform 11. and is provided with wires 51 which are connected to the wires 46 and 47 for allowing the current to be cut from the wires when so desired. However, when this switch is thrown it will be seen that this current, is passed through the wires 16 and 47 and conducted to the lamps 49 by means of the conductor wire 48. In this manner it will be seen that the auto-go-round will be etliciently lighted and will allow each automobile to be lighted substantially in a manner to a car.

A rod 52 is threaded into engagement with the upper ortion of the collar 16 and this rod 52 is at apted to rotate with the collar as the revoluble platform rotates. A cylindrical pipe 53'is positioned upon the outer portion of the rod 52 and this pipe 53 is provided with a'cap 54 which bears upon the ball 55 thereby allowing the pipe 53 to freely rotatev independently 0f the rod 52. The lower portion of this pipe 53 is provided with a flange 56 which supports a washer 57 upon which the fork 58 is carried. The angular wire 59 is bound upon the pipe 58 as disclosed at 60for supporting a globe 61 above the revoluble platform and to one side of the pipe 53. If it is so desired, the chain 62 having a head 63 may engage the fork 58 thereby firmly holding the washer 57 and causing the same to rotate in the same direction as the platform 11. If it is so desired, the chain may be thrown from engagement with the fork 58 and the guide ropes 6t may be attached to any suitable object for holding the pipe 53 against rotation thereby causing the globe 61 to be held in a set position and allowing the automobiles to move therearounth representing driving around the globe or world. It is, of course, obvious that a suitable canopy may be attached to the cap fit when the device is set up and used as a passenger carrier.

It will be seen that after the current has been cut oil and the motor has ceased to run, the momentum of the platform will cause the same to run for a considerable time, and, therefore, there is provided a brake arm 05 which is passed through the platform 11 and is secured to the bearings (36. The lower end of this brake arm (35 is provided with a brake beam 67 which is adapted to bear upon the stationary platform orsupporting surface for causing the revoluble platform to he brought to a stand' still as soon as desired. A coiled spring 68 attached. at one end of one ofthe arms 14 as shown at 69 and at the opposite end of the arm ('35 thereby causing the brake shoe 6? to be autrm'iatically thrown from cngagcuncut with the support when it is desired to rotate the platform. This device is also provided with a hood 70 which tits about the sleeve 9 so as to incase the motor brace rods 17, and other operating elements of this invention so as to present a pleasing appearance. as the unsightly objects will be covered. allow the operator to have access thereto for operating the device.

It is, of course. obvious that the arms ll may be positioned upon the round platforn'i for supporting the cars. in place of using the polygon platform herein disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, and in this manner allow the front and rear wheels of the cars to travel in the exact manner as described by this invention. By allowing the arms ii to radiate from the center of the platform it will be seen that they will diverge at their outer ends for allowing the wheels to be held in their correct position for turning around a fixed center. It will also be seen that this device is adapted to be used for carrying passen gers, or the size thereof may be diminished for placingthe same in a show window forv advertisingpurposes, at which tiinethe canopy. or other elements which would interfere with a clear view of the entire device might" be removed and still maintain the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. Ina device of the class described the combination with a stationary platform, a central standard fixedly secured to said stationary platform, a revoluble platform posi- In a device of the class described the' combination with a central standard," a sleeve positioned upon said central standard, a revoluble platform fixedly secured to said sleeve, brace rods connected to the upper portions of said sleeve and to the outer p0r' tions of said revoluble platform, a plurality of cars carried upon the outer portions of said revoluble platform, supporting Wheels carried upon the outer portions of said platform adapted to rest upon a support, and supporting means for supportin said cars and the outer portions of sai revoluble platform, and means forrotating said platform.

3. In a device of the class described the combination with a central standard, said standard provided at its lower portion with an integral spacing block, a sleeve rotatably mounted upon said standard, a revoluble platform fixedly secured to the lower portion of said sleeve, a plurality of brace arms fixedly secured .to the under portion of said revoluble platform, stub shafts carried by the upper ends of said brace arms, axles positione'd upon the upper portion of said revoluble platform, said axles carried at their outer ends upon said stub axles, imitation wheels fixedly secured to the inner ends of said axles, and a plurality of car bodies carried by said axles, said supporting wheels acting as the Wheels of said car bodies, whereby the outer portions of said revoluble platform will be supported, and means for rotating said revoluble platform.

4-. In a device of the class described the combination with a central standard, a revoluble platform carried by the lower portion of said standard, a lurality of axles carried upon said revolub e p'iatform, each of said axles comprising a straight body,

said straight body having at its inner end a depending diagonally extending plate, anear integral with said plate and terminating-- at its opposite endin an integral-Egan imi to rest upon a. support so that the outer ortions of said revoluble platform wil be supported, and means for rotating one of said wheel supports, whereby said revoluble platform will be moved.

5. In a device of'the class described the combination with-a central standard' a revolubleplatform carried by said standard,

a plurality of-bearings carried by. the under portion of said revoluble platform adriv ing shaft revolubly mounted within said bearings, acog wheel fixed upon the inner end of said driving shaft and extending upwardly through said drive platform, means for engaging said cog wheel for rotating the same, a driving wheel fixedly secured upon the outer end of said drive shaft whereby said shaft may rotate said wheel, a plurality of stub shafts carried b said revoluble platform, supporting ax es positioned upon the upper surface of said'rev'oluble' platform, said supporting axles fixedl secured at their inner end to said revo-uble' platform, said axles having a dependingintegral finger at their outer' ends, said" shafts passing through said fingers support? ing wheels carried upon said shafts, and 5:

lurality of cars carried by said axles where I y said revoluble platform may be rotated 0 that said wheels may be moved to imitate: t e driving of a number of automobiles when said drive shaft is rotated. 'f r 6.- In a'device of the cla'ss described, a. central standard, a revoluble platform. car: riod ad'acent the lower portion of said standard, said platform""provided with Ir plurality of angularly'formed sides, a plu-i rality of brace arms fixedly secured to'tho under surface of said revoluble platform,"

said brace arms extending to the outer sida' of said revoluble platform adjacent the corners thereof, and intermediate the corners, a plurality of shafts carriedifby saidbrace arm's,supporting axlespositioned u on said revoluble platform and carried y said shafts, a plurality of car bodies carried upon said axles, the forward portions of said cars adapted to overhang the corners of said revoluble platform thereby producing anef-' fect similar to the turning of an automobile, supporting wheels carriedupon said-shaft and adapted to rest upon a sup ort whereby the outerportions of said plat arms will be supported, and means for-rotating said revoluble platform.

7 In 7 an auto go round the combination lac with a central standard, a sleeve revolubly mounted upon said standard, a revoluble platform secured to the lower portion of said standard, a plurality of car bodies carried upon the outer portions of said revoluble platform, a plurality of wheels secured to t e outer portion of said latform for supportin the same, said whee s constituting the wheels of said cars, means for driving said revoluble platform, arod carried by said sleeve, a pipe positioned upon said rod, means for turning said pipe with said revoluble platform, said p1pe.being adapted to support a canopy.

8. In an auto-goround the combination with a central standard, a sleeve revolubly mounted upon said standard, a revoluble platform secured to the lower portion of said RUFUS W. SMITH.

Witnesses:

JNO. I. HINKLE,

J. W. SHIPMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of ratenta,

Washington, D. O. 

